Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Access Intelligence Announces Microsoft’s Director of Energy Strategy Will Take Part in ELECTRIC POWER 2014
Brian Janous, Director of Energy Strategy for Microsoft, will discuss the company’s strategy involving self-generation, carbon management, and the grid as part of the Keynote Session of ELECTRIC POWER on April 1, 2014. ELECTRIC POWER will be held in New Orleans, LA, April 1-3, 2014 and will host more than 250 experts who will lead sessions across 10 tracks addressing current issues affecting all generation types.
At Microsoft, Janous is responsible for leading the development and execution of Microsoft’s global data center energy strategy. These data centers provide the foundational cloud infrastructure for more than 200 online and cloud services for consumers and businesses worldwide. His responsibilities include the oversight of all energy supply agreements, distributed generation, and strategic partnerships. He and his team support efforts to create end-to-end strategies that will drive innovations in the next generation of Microsoft data centers. Janous joined Microsoft in 2011 after 12 years as a Senior Consultant at Brubaker & Associates, assisting Fortune 500 companies with energy procurement, policy, and sustainability matters.
Janous will share the keynote stage with Rod West, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Entergy Corp., which is Host Utility for ELECTRIC POWER 2014. Conference organizers have also invited Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to offer keynote remarks, focusing on expected carbon emission limits for existing fossil-fueled power stations.
Janous has written about the movement toward distributed generation (rooftop solar, fuel cells, etc.), and has said that “the opportunity of distributed generation does not negate the benefit afforded by the broader electric grid. In fact, in most applications, the value of distributed generation is a result of a connection to the broader grid. As we continue to grow our datacenter footprint, we will further innovate at the distributed level while also including large utility-scale projects in our portfolio to the extent that both can drive down costs and improve efficiency at the site and grid level.” In early November, Microsoft signed a 20-year deal to purchase all of the power produced by a 110MW wind project, 70 miles northwest of Fort Worth, TX. The Keechi project, by RES Americas, will begin construction early in 2014. The deal marks Microsoft’s first direct purchase of renewable energy.
Microsoft has emerged as a leader in innovative thinking about power generation, carbon management and the use of electric power. Welcoming Brian Janous to the Keynote Session stage further solidifies ELECTRIC POWER’s standing as a showcase for thought leaders in the power sector.
ELECTRIC POWER takes place April 1-3, 2014 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Several pre-conference activities—including a tour of Entergy’s Ninemile Unit 6 combined cycle power plant that is being built near downtown—take place on March 31. For a complete schedule and to register, visit www.electricpowerexpo.com.
A Lingering Lawsuit: The Generation Tax
A Lingering Lawsuit: The Generation Tax
Though Vermont Yankee has announced it is closing, the
lawsuits linger on. The state of Vermont recently placed a "generation
tax" on power plants with a nameplate above 200 MW. (Hint, there's only
one such plant in Vermont: Vermont Yankee.) This new tax on Yankee is
$12 million a year. Entergy sued the state in federal court, but that
court recently ruled that Entergy should have sued in state courts
first.
US nuclear plants must report on electric protections: NRC
US nuclear plants must report on electric protections: NRC
http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/washington/us-nuclear-plants-must-report-on-electric-protections-21984226
NO DICE: U.S. COURT DENIES EXTENSION TO DOE ON WASTE FEE RESPONSE
Grid-Scale Energy Storage: 4 Ways to Grow in 2014
Posted: 21 Dec 2013 09:00 AM PST
There’s
little doubt that 2013 has been a breakout year for grid-scale energy
storage. On the utility side, we’ve seen California mandate an
unprecedented 1.3 gigawatts of grid storage by decade’s end, and other
markets in the United States and abroad are moving toward goals of their
own.read morehttp://theenergycollective.com/jeffstjohn/319121/grid-scale-energy-storage-4-ways-grow-2014?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29
Fukushima Update 12/21
Fukushima Commentary for today -
Guest Commentary on
Japan's Energy Situation -
This past week, a colleague sent me his
position on Japan’s current energy situation. (None other than our very own)
Lars Hansen provides a level-headed overview of Japan's current energy
situation, spurred by the recent start-up of a new 1,000 MWe coal-fired unit.
Fukushima News 12/20/13: Record Levels of Radioactive Groundwate
Published: December 21st, 2013 at 1:16 am ET
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NHK WORLD, Dec. 20, 2013: [...] radioactive substances have been detected in water samples taken from deep underground [...] Highly radioactive substances had been detected in previous months in shallow groundwater that was found to be leaking into the ocean. But for the first time in December, TEPCO investigators detected radioactivity in groundwater taken from a layer 25 meters [~82 feet] beneath the No. 4 reactor’s well facing the ocean. [...] 6.7 becquerels per liter of Cesium 137 and 89 becquerels per liter of strontium and other beta ray-emitting radioactive substances [...] they are concerned that if contamination of deeper layers of groundwater is confirmed, it could be another source that is leaking into the ocean. [...]
Watch the broadcast herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRm6L_Xiqx0
Radionuclide Transport from Fukushima to Eastern North Pacific, Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
Radionuclide Transport from Fukushima to Eastern North Pacific, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2013 PICES Annual Meeting on October 15, 2013:https://www.pices.int/publications/presentations/PICES-2013/2013-MEQ/MEQ-1700-Smith.pdf
Climate change puts 40 percent more people at risk of absolute water scarcity
Climate change puts 40 percent more people at risk of absolute water scarcity
Potsdam, Germany (SPX) Dec 17, 2013 -
Water scarcity impacts people's lives in many countries already today. Future population growth will increase the demand for freshwater even further. Yet in addition to this, on the supply side, water resources will be affected by projected changes in rainfall and evaporation. Climate change due to unabated greenhouse-gas emissions within our century is likely to put 40 percent more people ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Climate_change_puts_40_percent_more_people_at_risk_of_absolute_water_scarcity_999.html
Potsdam, Germany (SPX) Dec 17, 2013 - Water scarcity impacts people's lives in many countries already today. Future population growth will increase the demand for freshwater even further. Yet in addition to this, on the supply side, water resources will be affected by projected changes in rainfall and evaporation. Climate change due to unabated greenhouse-gas emissions within our century is likely to put 40 percent more people ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Climate_change_puts_40_percent_more_people_at_risk_of_absolute_water_scarcity_999.html
Saving the Great Plains water supply
Saving the Great Plains water supply
East Lansing MI (SPX) Dec 17, 2013 -
Significant portions of the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest bodies of water in the United States, are at risk of drying up if it continues to be drained at its current rate. In the current issue of Earth's Future, a journal of the American Geophysical Union, Michigan State University scientists are proposing alternatives that will halt and hopefully reverse the unsustainable use of water dr ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Saving_the_Great_Plains_water_supply_999.html
East Lansing MI (SPX) Dec 17, 2013 - Significant portions of the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest bodies of water in the United States, are at risk of drying up if it continues to be drained at its current rate. In the current issue of Earth's Future, a journal of the American Geophysical Union, Michigan State University scientists are proposing alternatives that will halt and hopefully reverse the unsustainable use of water dr ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Saving_the_Great_Plains_water_supply_999.html
Escaping the valley of death? Comparing shale gas technology policy prospects to nuclear and solar in Europe
This item requires a subscription* to The Journal of World Energy Law & Business.
http://jwelb.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/12/18/jwelb.jwt020.long
William States Lee #nuclear station - NRC releases final environmental impact statement
William States Lee #nuclear station - NRC releases final environmental impact statement (771 page pdf, Dec 20, 2013)
Read more at http://news.nuclear.com/blog7.php/william-states-lee-nuclear-station#L3rSigSEFOGbKQEb.99
Read more at http://news.nuclear.com/blog7.php/william-states-lee-nuclear-station#L3rSigSEFOGbKQEb.99
http://news.nuclear.com/blog7.php/william-states-lee-nuclear-station
PG&E Pays $158 Million in Property Taxes to 49 California Counties
PG&E paid property taxes totaling more than $158 million this week to the 49 counties in which it operates in Northern and Central California.
http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/12/12/pge-pays-158-million-in-property-taxes-to-49-california-counties/
France adopts 2014 budget; carbon tax on fossil fuels London (Platts)-
France adopts 2014 budget; carbon tax on fossil fuels
http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/london/france-adopts-2014-budget-carbon-tax-on-fossil-26563408
Friday, December 20, 2013
Virgin’s Richard Branson Defends Nuclear
Virgin’s Richard Branson Defends Nuclear
Sir Richard Urges People to Watch 'Pandora's Promise'
http://thebreakthrough.org/index.php/programs/energy-and-climate/virgins-richard-branson-defends-nuclear/Solvay & AREVA to jointly develop thorium for nuclear power plants
Solvay & AREVA to jointly develop thorium for nuclear power plants
http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/12/solvay-areva-to-jointly-develop-thorium-for-nuclear-power-plants.html
Pioneering Nuclear Science: The Discovery of Nuclear Fission
Pioneering Nuclear Science: The Discovery of Nuclear Fission
At an exhibition organised by the Permanent Mission of the Federal
Republic of Germany to mark the 75th anniversary of the discovery of
nuclear fission at the Vienna International Centre, a replica of Dr.
Otto Hahn's laboratory table on which the fission experiment was
performed was displayed. The laboratory replica was on loan from the
Deutsches Museum, Munich. Vienna, Austria, 25 November 2013. (Photo: D.
Calma/IAEA)
http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/2013/nuclfission.html
Nuclear fission, the process by which an atom splits into lighter atoms, releasing considerable energy, has had a profound effect on our world in delivering energy, influencing geopolitics and opening new frontiers in science and medicine.
75 years ago three scientists Dr. Otto Hahn, Dr. Lise Meitner and Dr. Fritz Strassman working at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Chemistry in Berlin developed an experiment grounded on the then-evolving concept that splitting an atom of an element would produce two atoms of smaller different elements.
Their historical experiment when compared to examples of today's breakthrough experimental setups seem like nothing more than a high school demonstration, but at the time it represented cutting-edge research.
The Experiment That Changed Everything
The experiment used no more ground breaking technology or equipment than any other physics lab in Europe might have employed at the time. Rather, the key to success was a unique set of curious minds in the pursuit of discovery.
The experiment was spread over three rooms; an irradiation room; a chemistry laboratory; and a measuring room. In the irradiation room, a uranium sample was irradiated by a neutron source (a mixture of radium and beryllium), which was sealed in brass tubes and placed in a paraffin block, which slowed down the neutrons. Neutrons at the time were a relatively new discovery and as they are neutrally charged they can interact with an atom's nucleus with less interference from its electrons and protons. As the neutrons bombarded the uranium sample, nuclear fission occurred.
To measure radioactivity and the extremely small quantities of radioactive substances produced, the measuring room was equipped with home-made Geiger-Müller radioactivity counters to determine the decay of the extremely small quantities of radioactive substances produced. Unstable radioactive isotopes, like uranium used in the experiment, transmute over time into other elements in a process known as decay. Because different elements decay at different rates and release different types of radiation, plotting the decay of the uranium sample as a curve on a graph helped reveal the kind of atoms present, and was essential for determining what elements were produced from the nuclear fission. The Geiger-Müller counters used to detect the radiation produced were powered by large high voltage batteries and transferred impulses to mechanical counters through amplifiers and auxiliary apparatus.
The irradiated uranium sample was then brought to the chemistry laboratory where the subsequent radioactive elements from the nuclear fission were isolated using chemical methods.
In 1938, due to the prevailing political situation in Germany, Meitner's Jewish ancestry made it unsafe for her to live in Berlin and she fled to Sweden. Hahn and Strassman continued working on the on-going experiment alone. They shared the outcome of their testing with Meitner. She and her nephew, physicist Otto Frisch, were then able to correctly interpret the confusing data by hypothesising and articulating how the uranium nuclei had split to form lighter elements, for example, barium and krypton, releasing neutrons and large amounts of energy.
The threesome's experimental hypothesis was based on their assumption that an atom splits in the same fashion as a water droplet, which matched a theory that the famous physicist Niels Bohr had posited at that time. That imagined process ran counter to the prevailing understanding that bombarding the atom with neutrons would chip away at the large uranium atom, leaving it mainly intact. After they correctly explained to the scientific community that the uranium atom had actually split into smaller parts, their model provided an explanation for the release of more neutrons, which is the necessary prerequisite in the creation of a chain reaction and essential in many later nuclear applications. They coined their newly discovered process "nuclear fission" as it was comparable to the fission observed in biology cell division.
The discovery later earned Otto Hahn the 1944 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Arguably as important as any award or prize, was Hahn's, Meitner's and Strassman's staunch refusal to be involved in the development of nuclear weapons, which their discovery had made possible. They also declared their fierce opposition to the use of nuclear technologies for military purposes. Many technological advances, from computing to flight to dynamite have been used to enable more deadly, more destructive weapons, but the discoverers of nuclear fission were adamant that their finding had its great potential in its peaceful applications.
The IAEA's Statute tasks the Agency with accelerating and enlarging the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity, and Director General Amano's statement to the United Nations General Assembly in November 2013 reminds us of the wide range of benefits that nuclear fission has made possible and its relevance in providing for a better future:
"The IAEA gives priority to assisting developing countries in using nuclear technology in areas including health, food and agriculture, and water management. By making nuclear technology available, the IAEA makes a unique and lasting contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals."
For a more in-depth look at the discovery of fission and all of those that contributed to it, please visit the American Institute of Physics Website.
-- By Michael Madsen, IAEA Division of Public Information
Why is there no public support to reform nuclear energy regulatory policy?
Why is there no public support to reform nuclear energy regulatory policy?
Roadmap to supercritical CO2 turbines
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http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/
Molten salt reactors and supercritical CO2 turbines enable the feasibility of nuclear hovertanks
Molten salt reactors and supercritical CO2 turbines enable the
feasibility of nuclear hovertanks
http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/
7-minute video from Georgia Power reviewing significant progress in the construction of Vogtle 3 and 4 this year.
Here is a link to a new 7-minute video from Georgia Power reviewing significant progress in the construction of Vogtle 3 and 4 this year.
Great to see the
significant work toward development of these reactors, along with
training on the digital control system that will operate them.
http://bcove.me/nr4kj8mx
http://bcove.me/nr4kj8mx
Scientific American's Top 10 Science Stories of 2013
A carbon threshold breached, commitments to brain
science made, mystery neutrinos found and human evolution revised—these
and other events highlight the year in science and technology as picked
by the editors of Scientific American
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=top-10-science-stories-2013&page=10
The thin ice under nuclear regulatory independence
The thin ice under nuclear regulatory independence
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/nuclear-reaction/weak-nuclear-regulatory-independence/blog/47755/
ANS Update 12/20 Nuclear Matinee: Inside Hinkley Point B
Nuclear Matinee: Inside Hinkley Point BBy ansnuclearcafe on Dec 20, 2013 02:57 pmToday’s Nuclear Cafe Matinee takes faithful viewers “across the pond”—well, at least if one is situated in North America—to chat with Hinkley Point B Station Director Mike Harrison in southwest England. The Hinkley Point B reactors are a bit different … Continue reading → Read in browser »   |
Conflicting reports debate the future of CGS nuclear plant
PennEnergy Research Nuclear Uprates Feedwater Heaters for Nuclear Power - Global Market Size, Competitive Landscape and Key Country Analysis to 2020
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Nuclear Uprates
Feedwater Heaters for Nuclear Power - Global Market Size, Competitive Landscape and Key Country Analysis to 2020
SummaryThis report provides insight on the development of the global nuclear power industry and market analysis for feedwater heaters used in nuclear power market. The feedwater heaters market analysis include nuclear capacity additions, key drivers and restraints, and market size in terms of volume and value during 2006-2020 for key countries including the US, Canada, the UK, France, Spain, Russia, Ukraine, China, Japan and South Korea. In addition, feedwater heaters market analysis for the emerging nuclear countries is also covered in the report. Scope
 
Deaerators for Nuclear Power - Global Market Size, Major Players and Key Country Analysis to 2020
SummaryThis report provides insight on the development of the global nuclear power industry and market analysis for deaerators used in nuclear power market. The deaerators market analysis include nuclear capacity additions, key drivers and restraints, and market size in terms of volume and value during 2006-2020 for key countries including the US, Canada, the UK, France, Spain, Russia, Ukraine, China, Japan and South Korea. In addition, deaerators market analysis for the emerging nuclear countries are also covered in the report. Scope
Electricity Costs and Economics Report
SummaryThe power sector still remains an attractive area for investment but investors are now more cautious than previously. Global warming continues to be a dominant theme but alongside that there is a new pragmatism about fossil fuel combustion which will continue to dominate the power sector for another generation at least. Meanwhile renewable sources of generation continue to advance, led principally by wind power but with solar capacity growing rapidly too, though from a small base. Electricity is the most important energy source in the modern age but also the most ephemeral, a source that must be consumed as fast as it is produced. This makes modeling the economics of electricity production more complex than carrying out the same exercise for other products. Accurate modeling is important because it forms the basis for future investment decisions. In the electricity sector two fundamental yardsticks are used for cost comparison, capital cost and the levelized cost of electricity. The latter is a lifecycle cost analysis of a power plant that uses assumptions about the future value of money to convert all future costs and revenues into current prices. This model is widely used in the power industry but has some significant failings, particularly in its ability to handle risk. Even so these two measures, together, are the first consulted when power sector investment and planning decisions are to be made. Production of electricity has always involved an element of risk but this has been extended, and in some cases magnified by the introduction of liberalized electricity markets. One big source of risk is fuel price risk. If an investment is made today based on a predicted cost of natural gas that turns out to be wildly in error because prices soar, as has happened during the past decade, then that investment will be in danger of failing to be economical to operate. Therefore some measure of the risk of fuel price volatility should be included in any economic model. Other risks arise where large capital investment is required in untested technology. Meanwhile the liberalized market has introduced new types of risk more often associated with financial markets. Scope
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NRC Blog Update 12/20 Starting a Reactor Design Review the Right Way
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Starting a Reactor Design Review the Right Wayby Moderator |
Scott Burnell
Public Affairs Officer
While
most of the application’s sections and chapters have enough information
for the NRC to review, there are important exceptions. For example, our
technical experts don’t see a clear path for predictably and
efficiently reviewing important areas such as instruments and controls,
how human actions affect reactor operations, and assessing risk.
A
few months ago, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. gave the NRC an
application to certify the company’s Advanced Power Reactor 1400 design
for use in the U.S. We’d been having “pre-application” discussions with
the company since April 2010.
In
September of this year, the company felt its information was ready for a
full review. After our acceptance check of the application, however,
we’ve decided the process should remain at the pre-application stage.
While
most of the application’s sections and chapters have enough information
for the NRC to review, there are important exceptions. For example, our
technical experts don’t see a clear path for predictably and
efficiently reviewing important areas such as instruments and controls,
how human actions affect reactor operations, and assessing risk.
We
also didn’t see enough detail for some specific technical issues, such
as reactor coolant pump design, potential corrosion of some internal
reactor parts and protecting plant staff from radiation. Other areas
referenced technical reports to be submitted in the future.
At
this point it’s the company’s decision on how to proceed – if they wish
to continue pre-application meetings and related discussions, we’ll
certainly do so. The formal review, however, will have to wait until the
NRC is satisfied the application has enough information for our staff
to create a reasonable, reliable schedule and milestones for the
certification process.
Let’s
be clear – none of this represents any sort of NRC technical conclusion
regarding the Korean reactor design. We’re well aware that other
countries are building or considering the design, and we continue to
work with a multinational group discussing this and other new reactor
designs. This decision doesn’t set any precedents, either. We’ve
previously decided against accepting the initial applications for both a
U.S.-based design certification and a new reactor operating license.
The NRC also followed this path for a couple of applications to renew
existing U.S. reactor licenses.
The
bottom line is that the NRC must ensure proposed reactor designs can
meet our safety requirements. We owe it not only to the public to do
that job properly, but also to applicants to do so effectively and
predictably. The best way to do that is to have the appropriate
information in hand before we begin our work.
IAEA Lunches ‘Nuclear Power Program for Dummies’ E-Learning Course
IAEA Lunches ‘Nuclear Power Program for Dummies’ E-Learning Course
http://dailyfusion.net/2013/12/iaea-lunches-nuclear-power-program-for-dummies-e-learning-course-25744/
SPECIAL REPORT-The U.S. government lab behind China's nuclear power push
SPECIAL REPORT-The U.S. government lab behind China's nuclear power push
http://www.trust.org/item/20131220134758-fi1ox
Wishing Away Nuclear Energy Won't Work Germany's ill-considered plan
Wishing Away Nuclear Energy Won't Work
Germany's ill-considered plan
http://www.energybiz.com/article/11/09/wishing-away-nuclear-energy-wont-work
Russia invests in nuclear
Russia invests in nuclear
Russia has allocated RUB80.6 billion ($2.4 billion) as 'in-kind' contributions to the growth of its nuclear industry with a large portion of this assigned to foreign projects, including the Akkuyu plant in Turkey.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C_Russia_invests_in_nuclear_2012131.html
Russia has allocated RUB80.6 billion ($2.4 billion) as 'in-kind' contributions to the growth of its nuclear industry with a large portion of this assigned to foreign projects, including the Akkuyu plant in Turkey.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C_Russia_invests_in_nuclear_2012131.html
Consortium established to build Alfred
Consortium established to build Alfred
A consortium has been formally set up for the construction of a demonstration lead-cooled fast reactor in Romania. The Advanced Lead Fast Reactor European Demonstrator (Alfred) is being developed under an EU initiative.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Consortium-established-to-build-Alfred-2012134.htm
A consortium has been formally set up for the construction of a demonstration lead-cooled fast reactor in Romania. The Advanced Lead Fast Reactor European Demonstrator (Alfred) is being developed under an EU initiative.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Consortium-established-to-build-Alfred-2012134.htm
"Vermont Yankee: Now What Are Opponents Doing?" by Howard Shaffer
With the scheduled shutdown of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant
toward the end of 2014... things have not quieted down in Vermont. A
look at recent developments among anti-nuclear activists and the state
government, and upcoming decision points
http://ansnuclearcafe.org/
"Eisenhower’s Atomic Power for Peace – The Civilian Application Program" by Will Davis
US President Eisenhower’s Atomic Power for Peace speech is recognized
as opening the doors to today’s omnipresent use of nuclear technology
in society, including nuclear power. However, much was taking place
before the speech, and after – take a look back at the history of
atomic power's earliest days
http://ansnuclearcafe.org/
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Downplays Risk of Sea Level Rise in Waste Storage EIS
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Downplays Risk of Sea Level Rise In Waste Storage EIS Ethan Strell
The Columbia Center for Climate Change Law (CCCL) submitted comments today on the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission's “Waste ...
Climate Law Bloghttp://blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechange/2013/12/19/nuclear-regulatory-commission-downplays-risk-of-sea-level-rise-in-waste-storage-eis/
SPENT, BUT NOT GONE
SPENT, BUT NOT GONE
With no final destination, used nuclear material stays at San Onofre indefinitely
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/dec/20/tp-spent-but-not-gone/
2013 in tech: The big stories of the year
2013 in tech: The big stories of the year
Summary:
Here's a look back at the hot topics, major discoveries, and
technological breakthroughs of 2013: from privacy to surveillance, major
product launches, successes, and catastrophes.
http://www.zdnet.com/2013-in-tech-7000024550/?s_cid=e540&ttag=e540
Projected Costs of U.S. Nuclear Forces, 2014 to 2023
Projected Costs of U.S. Nuclear Forces, 2014 to 2023
report
The Administration requested $23 billion for nuclear forces in 2014, CBO estimates. With current plans, costs will total about $350 billion over the next 10 years if costs grow at historical rates, CBO projects.http://www.cbo.gov/publication/44968?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzEmail&utm_content=812526&utm_campaign=0
NEW ENERGY TAX PROPOSAL from Senate Finance Committe Chairman Baucus
In case you have not yet seen it, below are key documents on Senator
Baucus' proposed revision of federal Energy Tax Breaks. Included are:
1. AWEA's statement commending Senator Baucus.
2. Senate Finance Committee Press Release.
3. Committee Staff's one page Summary of proposal.
An 8-Page "Summary of Staff Discussion Draft: Energy Tax Reform" can
be found at:
The
press release invites comments from Congress, key stakeholders and the general
public by January 31, 2014 and are to be submitted to Tax_Reform@Finance.Senate.gov.
(Note that the Senate Finance Committee follows the supremely
arrogant Washington-Inside the Beltway practice of mentioning the "general
public" separate from "key stakeholders" -- ignoring the fact that all
individual citizens, consumers and taxpayers -- and their children and
grandchildren -- ARE THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS since they bear the entire burden of
the actions of THE WASHINGTON ESTABLISHMENT.
(Is
there really any reason to wonder why a growing number of real people outside
the Washington Beltway are increasingly fed up with the Washington
Establishment's arrogance?)
1. AWEA STATEMENT COMMENDING BAUCUS
AWEA statement on Senate Finance Chairman's Energy Tax Discussion Draft
December 18, 2013
Rob Gramlich, Senior Vice President for Public Policy of the American Wind Energy Association, today released the following statement:
“We commend Chairman Baucus and the Senate Finance Committee for putting forward a sound policy option to provide domestic energy producers with stability for the years to come. The tax code has a century-long history of incentivizing American-made energy, and we must continue to ensure that we have plentiful, secure, clean, affordable energy to power our economy. Wind energy has already proven that it can deliver in these areas and it must continue to be a critical part of the U.S. energy mix. We appreciate Senator Baucus' leadership in trying to find common ground to ensure that the U.S. is well-suited to face the energy challenges of the 21st century by promoting a diverse energy portfolio.”
******************************
2. SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE PRESS RELEASE
http://www.finance.senate.gov/
WASHINGTON – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today unveiled the latest package in a series of proposals to overhaul America’s tax code. This staff discussion draft focuses on streamlining energy tax incentives so they are more predictable and technology-neutral.
“It is time to bring our energy tax policy into the 21st century,” Senator Baucus said. “Our current set of energy tax incentives is overly complex and picks winners and losers with no clear policy rationale. We need a system of energy incentives that is more predictable, rational, and technology-neutral to increase our energy security and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.”
The discussion draft released today focuses on reforming the current set of energy related tax preferences. Under current law, there are 42 different energy tax incentives, including more than a dozen preferences for fossil fuels, ten different incentives for renewable fuels and alternative vehicles, and six different credits for clean electricity. Of the 42 different energy incentives, 25 are temporary and expire every year or two, and the credits for clean electricity alone have been adjusted 14 times since 1978 – an average of every two and a half years. If Congress continues to extend current incentives, they will cost nearly $150 billion over 10 years.
To address these issues, the staff discussion draft proposes a smaller number of targeted and simple energy incentives that are flexible enough to accommodate advances among fuels and technologies of any type – whether renewable, fossil, or anything in between. These proposals are intended to promote domestic energy production and reduce pollution. Specifically, the discussion draft offers proposals to:
Senator Baucus also called for additional feedback from members of Congress, key stakeholders and the general public on the discussion draft. Feedback on the discussion draft is requested by January 31, 2014 and comments can be sent to: Tax_Reform@Finance.Senate.gov.
Last month, Senator Baucus released staff discussion drafts regarding international tax reform, tax administration, and cost recovery and accounting. Summaries and other materials for those drafts can be viewed here.
A detailed summary of the energy tax reform staff discussion draft can be found here, and a one-pager on the draft can be found here.
The full staff discussion draft in legislative language can be found here.
Rob Gramlich, Senior Vice President for Public Policy of the American Wind Energy Association, today released the following statement:
“We commend Chairman Baucus and the Senate Finance Committee for putting forward a sound policy option to provide domestic energy producers with stability for the years to come. The tax code has a century-long history of incentivizing American-made energy, and we must continue to ensure that we have plentiful, secure, clean, affordable energy to power our economy. Wind energy has already proven that it can deliver in these areas and it must continue to be a critical part of the U.S. energy mix. We appreciate Senator Baucus' leadership in trying to find common ground to ensure that the U.S. is well-suited to face the energy challenges of the 21st century by promoting a diverse energy portfolio.”
******************************
2. SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE PRESS RELEASE
http://www.finance.senate.gov/
For Immediate
Release
December 18, 2013
December 18, 2013
Contact:
Sean Neary/Ryan Carey: 202-224-4515
Baucus Unveils Proposal for Energy Tax Reform
Chairman Calls for Input on Streamlined Set of Energy IncentivesWASHINGTON – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today unveiled the latest package in a series of proposals to overhaul America’s tax code. This staff discussion draft focuses on streamlining energy tax incentives so they are more predictable and technology-neutral.
“It is time to bring our energy tax policy into the 21st century,” Senator Baucus said. “Our current set of energy tax incentives is overly complex and picks winners and losers with no clear policy rationale. We need a system of energy incentives that is more predictable, rational, and technology-neutral to increase our energy security and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.”
The discussion draft released today focuses on reforming the current set of energy related tax preferences. Under current law, there are 42 different energy tax incentives, including more than a dozen preferences for fossil fuels, ten different incentives for renewable fuels and alternative vehicles, and six different credits for clean electricity. Of the 42 different energy incentives, 25 are temporary and expire every year or two, and the credits for clean electricity alone have been adjusted 14 times since 1978 – an average of every two and a half years. If Congress continues to extend current incentives, they will cost nearly $150 billion over 10 years.
To address these issues, the staff discussion draft proposes a smaller number of targeted and simple energy incentives that are flexible enough to accommodate advances among fuels and technologies of any type – whether renewable, fossil, or anything in between. These proposals are intended to promote domestic energy production and reduce pollution. Specifically, the discussion draft offers proposals to:
- Establish a new, technology-neutral tax credit for the domestic production of clean electricity
- Establish a new, technology-neutral tax credit for the domestic production of clean transportation fuel
- Consolidate almost all of the existing energy tax incentives into these two new credits, with appropriate transition relief
- Provide businesses and investors with more certainty by making the new incentives long enough to be effective, but phasing them out once clearly defined goals have been met
Senator Baucus also called for additional feedback from members of Congress, key stakeholders and the general public on the discussion draft. Feedback on the discussion draft is requested by January 31, 2014 and comments can be sent to: Tax_Reform@Finance.Senate.gov.
Last month, Senator Baucus released staff discussion drafts regarding international tax reform, tax administration, and cost recovery and accounting. Summaries and other materials for those drafts can be viewed here.
A detailed summary of the energy tax reform staff discussion draft can be found here, and a one-pager on the draft can be found here.
The full staff discussion draft in legislative language can be found here.
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3. ONE PAGE SUMMARY
Energy Tax Reform Discussion Draft
Chairman Max Baucus
U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
12/18/13
As
part of his work toward overhauling the U.S. tax code, Chairman Max Baucus is
releasing a staff discussion draft today on energy tax reform. Tax incentives
for domestic production of clean energy, whether from fossil fuels or
renewables, serve important policy objectives. These include reducing damage
from air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the economy from
price shocks, and enhancing national security.
Despite the importance of these goals, our current energy
incentives are overly complex and far less effective than they could be. Today,
there are 42 different energy tax incentives. More than half are too short-term
to effectively stimulate investments. They also provide different subsidies to
different technologies with no discernable policy rationale. On top of that,
they result in significant revenue loss: if we continue to extend current
incentives, they will cost nearly $150 billion over ten years.
To
address these issues, this staff discussion draft proposes a dramatically
simpler set of long-term energy tax incentives that are technology-neutral and
promote cleaner energy that is made in the United States. The staff discussion
draft extensively draws on proposals of a number of Senators, including
Committee members Bennet, Brown,
Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Crapo, Enzi, Grassley, Menendez, Nelson,
Rockefeller, Thune, and Wyden. Some of the significant proposals in the
discussion draft include:
Tax Credit
for Clean Electricity.
. Technology-neutral tax credit for
domestic production of clean electricity. The cleaner the facility,
the larger the credit.
. Open to all resources –
renewable, fossil, or anything in between.
. Available as either a production
tax credit of up to 2.3 cents/kwh or an investment tax credit of up to 20
percent.
Tax Credit
for Clean Transportation Fuel.
. Technology-neutral tax credit for
domestic production of clean transportation fuel The cleaner
the facility, the larger the credit.
. Open to all resources –
renewable, fossil, or anything in between.
. Available either as a production
tax credit of up to $1/gallon or an investment tax credit of up to
20
percent.
Long-Term, But Not
Permanent. The two credits phase out once the greenhouse gas intensity of
each market has declined by 25 percent.
Consolidated Provisions.
. Almost all existing energy tax
incentives are consolidated into these two new credits, with
appropriate transition relief.
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